Rotary snap switch



Ju1y3,1934. @1E-.AVERY 1,964,717

BOTARY SNAP SWITCH Filed Jan. 8, 1932 Patented July 3, 1934 ATENT OFFICE ROTARY SNAP SWITCH 'Charles vE. Avery, Bridgeport, Conn., assigner 'to Harvey Hubbell,

Incorporated, Bridgeport,

Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application January 8,

10 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in rotary switches.

An object of the invention is to provide a rotary switch of generally improved construction and including improved operating mechanism whereby the circuit closing element of a rotary switch is eiectively moved by a snap action from one position to another.

Another object is to provide a rotary snap switch including an operating handle or piece and operating means for the movable switch element whereby the said switch element may be operated on turning movement of the operating handle in either direction, and also in which the switch may be operated to the off and on positions by operating it successively in the same direction.

A further object is to provide a rotary snap switch including stationary contacts, a movable switch element adapted in one position to engage said contacts and close a circuit between them, a

rotary hand piece, and means operatively connecting the hand piece with the switch element whereby the switch element is operable by the hand piece, said means including a spring adapted to snap the switch element to off and on positions.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein the invention is shown in detail. It is, of course, to be understood that the invention is not limited to the structure or arrangement of parts shown but includes all such variations 'and modications as fall within the spirit of the invention or the scopeV of the appended claims to which claims reference should be had for a definition of the invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a top plan View of the improved rotary snap switch, the operating handle and closure disc being removed;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, the closure and handle being shown in place;

Fig. switch;

Fig. 4 is a View somewhat similar to Fig. 3 but showing the operating parts in position just prior to the snapping of the switch element from one position to another;

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the operating means alone the spring being omitted and the parts being as shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 5 but s is a bottom plan view of the improved 1932, Serial No. 585,411

(Cl. 20G-65) the parts being in substantially the position shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a sectional detail View on an enlarged scale, the view being taken substantially on the line 7-7 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is an edge view of the operating yoke removed;

Fig. 9 is a similar View of the operating arm; Fig. 10 is a bottom plan view of the operating arm; A 6

Fig. 11 is a detail showing on an enlarged scale the relation of certain parts; and

Fig. 1-2 is a plan View showing a slightly modied form of a stationary bridge or guide piece or member employed. p

Referring in detail to the drawing, the switch is shown as including a substantially cylindrical hollow body or housing 15 formed of suitable insulating material, as for example a mouldable ma- ,v terial. Formed with the inner wall of the body adjacent the inner end 16 thereof is an annular thickened portion 1'7 forming a shoulder 18 on which the end portions 19 of a stationary bridge or guide member 20 rest. On the end portions 19 of the guide 20 are disposed spacing members 21 80 on the upper ends of which are disposed the respective end portions of a stationary bridge and supporting member 22. Screws 23 having their heads recessed into sockets 24 pass through the end portions of the guide member 20 and through 85 the spacing member 21 and are threaded into the end portions of the supporting member 22 whereby the parts are secured within the housing.

Closing the upper or outer end 25 of the housv ing 15 is a disc-like cover member 26 formed of 90 insulating material and having a hand piece or operating member 27 formed therewith. A nut or stud 28 may be received in an opening in the cover and hand piece, and the hand piece may be g secured as by a screw 29 threaded into the nut 95 28. An operating stem or pin 30 for the movable switch element or switch elements has its outer end 31 threaded into the nut 28' as shown in Fig. 2 whereby said pin, cover and hand piece are adapted to turn as a unit in the operation of the switch. As a further means for securing the pin 30 to the nut 28 a pin or key 32 may be passed thro-ugh the nut and the threaded end 31 of the pin 30 whereby the nut is securely locked to the pin.

The invention is shown as applied to a double pole switch and the stationary contacts 33, 34, 35 and 36 forming extensions of plates 33', 34', 35' and 36 respectively are here shown as secured in v y spaced relation against the shoulder 18 previ- 110 ously referred to. Contacts 33 and 35 are in one plane while contacts 34 and 36 are in another plane spaced rearwardly from the plane of the contacts 33 and 35. The contacts may be secured in place as by means of screws 37 having their heads received in recesses corresponding to the recesses 24 for the heads of screws 23 and threaded into the bases or plates 33', 34', 35 and 36. Further, each contact may carry a binding screw 38 as shown. Movable switch elements 39 and 40 are adapted to close circuits between the contacts 33, 34, 35 and 36, element 39 being adapted to bridge contacts 33 and 35 while element 40 is adapted to bridge contacts 34 and 36, and these switch elements are mounted by the pin 30 so as to move relative thereto and are insulated from the pin and from each other as most clearly shown in Fig. 2.

It will be apparent that as shown in Fig. 1 the switch elements 39 and 40 are in open position, element 39 being above contacts 34 and 36, while switch element 40 is below the contacts 33 and 35. Also, it will be clear that on the switch elements being given a quarter turn in either direction, the switch element 39 will be closing a circuit between the contacts 33 and 35, and that the switch element 40 will be closing a circuit between the contacts 34 and 36. Each of the switch elements 39 and 40 is composed of two pieces of spring metal placed side by side and adapted to yield laterally or separate to receive the stationary contacts between them. It will also be noted the stationary contacts 33, 34, 35 and 36 extend inwardly fro-m their base plates 33', 34', 35 and 36 so that the switch elements can move to and from or past them in either direction. Therefore the switch may be operated indefinitely in either direction as the switch elements can make complete revolutions in either direction.

Against the rear side of the innermost disc or layer 41 of insulating material carried by the pin 30 there is secured a member 42 having an open ended slot 43 and the purpose of this member will later appear. However, the pin 30 is turnable in this member although the switch elements and insulators are movable as a unit with the member as the member 42 is secured to these elements by means of arms 42a integral with and bent laterally from the opposite side edges of member 42 and passing through the insulating plates and riveted over at their ends as indicated ;section of the sides thereof are notched or recessed as at 48, 49, 50 and 51, and the function of this guide opening will later be fully set forth. Here it will be noted that the guide opening is arranged substantially centrally of the body and that the inner portion of the pin 30 extends through the opening. Also, it will be noted that when the switch is viewed from the underside as in Figs. 3 and 5, the slotted member 42 previously referred to is disposed immediately below the guide opening.

Disposed over the guide opening in the member 20 is an open frame or yoke member 52 having a portion or projection 53 extending inwardly through the guide opening and entering the open ended slot 43 in the member 42 secured to the rotating member including insulating discs 4l and the movable contact elements. This member is mounted to rotate on the shaft 30. At a point opposite the projection 53 the yoke 52 is shaped to provide an extension 54 having a slot 55. It will be understood that the yoke is not secured to the member 20 but is slidable thereon and the manner in which the yoke is held in position will noW be described.

Secured to the inner end of the pin or shaft 30 is an arm 56 which arm extends radially of the pin and at its outer end is turned upwardly to provide a portion 57 which on its front side carries a lug or projection 58. As clearly shown the arm 56 extends outwardly over the yoke 52 in a manner to hold the yoke in position on the member 20. Further, it will be noted that the arm 56 extends in the general direction of the extension 54 of the yoke and the arm carries a lug or projection 59 entering the slot 55 in said extension 54 whereby movement of the arm will result in movement of the yoke.

On the yoke 52 at a point substantially opposite the extension 54 is an upstanding arm or lug 60 carrying a projection 61 corresponding with the projection 58 on the portion 57 of the arm 56. Disposed between the lugs or projections 58 and 61 is a coiled compression spring 62 which spring serves normally to retain the parts in the relative positions as best shown in Fig. 3. Also, this spring is adapted to snap the switch elements from one position to the next or from circuit closing to circuit opening position. The spring is placed in position by telescoping the ends of the spring over the lugs or projections 58 and 61.

In the operation of the switch as the hand piece 27 is turned it turns the pin or shaft 30 which communicates the movement to the arm 56, it being understood that the pin is turnable with respect to the switch elements 39 and 40 and the member 42 and the insulators between these parts. The normal position of the parts is with the lug or projection 53 of the yoke 52 in one of the corners 48, 49, 50 or 51 and with the arm 56 and extension 54 substantially over the diametrically opposite corner. In Figs. 3 and 5 the parts are shown as arranged with the projection 53 in the corner 50 and with the extension 54 and arm 56 substantially over the corner 48.

Assuming now that the hand piece 27 is turned in a counter clock-wise direction as viewed in Figs. 3 and 5 but which is really clock-wise as viewed in Fig. 1 and the knob or handle 27 is turned clockwise, its initial movement will swing the arm 56 to the position shown in Figs. 4 and 6, and owing to the fact that the arm carries the lug 59 operating in the slot 55 in the extension of the yoke, the yoke will be moved substantially into the position in which it is shown in Figs. 4 and 6. This action results in a compression and lateral bending of the spring 62 as shown in Fig. 4 and further results in the movement of the portion 63 of the yoke into engagement with a ller or bearing portion 64 surrounding the inner end of the pin 30.

As the portion 63 of the yoke engages the filler 64 a camming action takes place and the projection 53 on the yoke as well as the yoke itself is mechanically moved so as to at least partially shift the projection 53 out of the notch or corner in which it happens to be, as for example, out o f the notch orY corner 50 as shown. When the position of theyoke hasbeen shifted suiciently or atthe end of what might betermed theinitial movement of the parts, the spring I62 acts toreturn to its normally straight condition and snaps the, yoke about, slid-ing` the projection 53 along the side 46` of the guide opening so .as to dispose the projection in the notch .49.

It will thus be understood that the spring snaps the parts fromone positionto another making. a quick make andbreakofthe electrical connections, and it isgalsoto be understoodgthat the projection 53 ntting into l theslot 43 ofthe member 42 is: held thereby `so -no,.movement is Vimparted to'this Vmember during ,theV initial movement ofthe yoke. However, as the spring. 62- acts to shift: the'yoke or snap-the ,yoke fromone position to-another the projection beingv inthe slot 43, the member 42 is; snapped aboutand carries` the switch elements with it-whereby a snap switch -is provided. Further `turningmovement of the hand piece in thesame direction willresult in the action just described being repeated andas the yoke is shifted to carry its projection 53 from one notch or corner of the Yguide opening tothe next,Y so the switch: elements are shifted from one position to thenext.

The switch may be operated by. turning the hand piece in either direction-and4 the actionof the parts is then thesame asthat already de,- scribed with the exception that the parts-move in the opposite direction andthe yoke is shifted tocar-ry its lug or projection 53 fromone of the corners of the guide opening-to the other.Y Whenthe switch is being operated in this oppositey direction the portion4 65 ofthe yoke w-ill engage theller 64 `to bring about the cammingaction,

above referred to. That is, during the first part of theinitial movement of the parts the yoke moves with4 the.projection, 53 vacting. as a pivot and. then kas the portion 65of the yoke engages the Vpin4 orthefiller. on thepin, the projection is shifted out ofthe notch itisoccupying and the spring 62 having..-been compressedl acts to,r snapt the parts totheir .next position.k

In Fig. 12 is shownl a guide member 66:.corresponding with the member l20 before referred to and havingA a guide opening S'Ttherein, thesides 44,', 45', 46 andv 47 lof which v'are convex rather than straight as showninthe first groupl of igures. The. convex sides will, ity is believed, give a better and smoother snap action `although it will be apparent that `this is buta slight modification and does not'alterthe principles` ofthe invention.

Lead wires .68 fromthe house. wiringsystem may be .led through the openings 69 inthe-body. and connectedl to .tht binding.. posts 38 in the usual manner to provide the electricaLconnections to vthe stationary contacts.

Having thus set forth the nature. of my invention, what I claim is.:

l. In a rotary snap switch, a p air of contacts, a movable switch element adaptedin one posi?- tion to engage saidcontactsandeclose a circuit.;

between them, a rotary hand. piece, means operatively` connecting the hand piece with, the switchV element whereby the switch element is movable on rotation .of the hand piece, said means including amember connected with` saidswitch element, an arm extendingradiallyk withrespect to and-connected with said'hand piece, means providing av lost motion connection between an outer portion of` said arm and said member,y whereby initial` turning movement of the-hand piece and arm does not. result inv movement of said member and switchrelement, a coilspring arranged .angularly `with respect to the axialV line `of said hand piece and connected at its respectiveA cndsatopposite sides of said line with said meansandthe arm, andsaid spring adapted tobe compressed and have its arm connected end portion carried laterally with respect to its other-.endby transversedeiiectionof the spring intermediate its.V ends.v on initial turning movementof the arm by thehand piece and to thereafter. straightenand expand and snap said connecting means,. member and switch element from one position toanother.

2. Ina rotary snap switch, a hollow body, a pairof contacts in said body, a movable switch element in saidbody and adapted in one position to engage-said contacts and close a circuit between them, a rotary hand piece, an arm within the.body and movable with the hand piece, a movable yoke .withinthe body, a connection between the vyoke andthe switch element whereby movement of the yoke results in movement of the switch element, a spring connecting the yoke and the .arm anddisposed angularly with respect to the axial line of said vhand piece, an eccentric pin .and slot connection between the yoke and, arm whereby oninitial movement of the handpiece the .yoke is rocked and said spring is compressed and has its arm connected end carried laterally with .respect to its other end by transverse deflection intermediate its ends, and said spring on `further movement of the hand piecev adaptedto have .its arm connected end carriedpast center whereby Vthe spring may straighten by movement of its other end and then expand. and. snap4 the yoke from one position` to another and thereby snap the switch elementfrom one position to another.

3i. In arotary snap. switch, a hollow body, a pair of contacts in said body, a movable switch element in `said bodyr and adapted in one position to .engage saidcontacts and close a circuit between them, a rotary hand piece, a guide memberwithin said body, said guide member having` an openingy defined by. angularly arranged sides providing corners, a yoke on the guide member and 'having aportion extending into ther openingand movable along` the sides thereof from one corner to another, said portion of the yoke connectedV with the switch lelement whereby movement ofthe yoke is imparted to the switch element, apin rotatable by the hand piece and extending into the vicinity of the yoke, said yoke having a slotted extension, a radially extending arm onsaid pin and having a projection entering the slot in said extension whereby turning movement'ofthe hand .piece is communicated to the yoke, anda spring connecting the yoke andarm and adapted to snap the yoke and switchelement fromone position to another on turning movement ofthe hand piece.

. 4; In a rotary snap switch, a hollow body, a pairi-ofvcontacts inthe body, a movable switch elementin the body and adapted in one position to engage said contacts and close a circuit bei tween them, axrotatablehand piece, an operating connectiony between the hand piece and switch element whereby turning movement is communicated-.to the switch element to move it from one positionA to another, said operating connection il,

yoke having a slotted extension, a pin rotatable by the hand piece and extending into the vicinity of the yoke, an arm on the pin, said arm having a portion entering the slot in the yoke whereby turning movement of the hand piece is imparted to the yoke, said portion of the yoke extending into the guide opening acting as a pivot for the yoke in the initial turning movement of the yoke resulting from turning movement of the hand piece, a spring connecting the yoke and arm and adapted to be compressed on said initial movement of the yoke and to thereafter expand and snap the yoke from one position to another, and said projection on the yoke connected with the switch element whereby the snapping movement of the yoke under the influence of the spring is transmitted to the switch element to move it from one position to another.

5. In a rotary snap switch, a hollow body, a pair of contacts in the body, a movable switch element in the body and adapted in one position to engage said contacts and close a circuit between them, a rotary hand piece, an operating connection between the hand piece and the switch element whereby rotary movement of the hand piece is communicated to the switch element to move it from one position to another, said operating connection including a member having a guide opening therein, said guide opening having angularly arranged sides, a yoke having a projection extending into said opening and slidable along the sides thereof from one corner to the next, said yoke having a slotted extension, a pin rotatable by the hand piece and extending through the yoke, an arm on the pin, said arm having a portion entering the slet in the yoke whereby turning movement of the hand piece is communicated to the yoke, said'portion of the yoke extending into the guide opening acting as a pivot for the yoke in the initial turning movement of the yoke resulting from turning movement of the hand piece, said yoke during said initial turning movement adapted to engage and be rocked by said pin and have its projection moved slightly out of a corner of the guide opening, a spring connecting the yoke and arm and adapted to be compressed on said initial movement of the yoke and to then expand and snap the yoke from one position to another, and said projection of the yoke connected with the switch element whereby the snapping movement of the yoke under the influence of the spring is transmitted to the switch element to move it from one position to another.

6. In a rotary snap switch, a hollow body, a pair of contacts in said body, a movable switch element in said body and adapted in one position to engage said contacts and close a circuit between them, a rotary hand piece, a guide member within said body at one side of said switch element, said guide member having an opening therein, said opening defined by convex angularly arranged sides providing corners, a yoke on the guide member and having a portion extending into the opening and movable along the sides thereof from one corner to another of the opening, said portion of the yoke connected with the switch element whereby movement of the yoke is imparted to the switch element, a pin rotatable by the hand piece and extending through the yoke, said yoke having a slotted extension, a radially extending arm on said pin and having a projection entering the slot in said extension whereby turning movement of the hand piece is communicated to the yoke, and a spring connecting the yoke and arm and adapted to snap the yoke and switch element from one position to another on turning movement of the hand piece.

7. In a rotary snap switch, a hollow body, a pair of contacts in said body, a movable switch element in said body and adapted in one position to engage said contacts and close a circuit between them, a rotary hand piece, a guide member within said body, said guide member having an opening dened by angularly arranged sides providing corners, a yoke on the guide member and having a portion extending into the opening and shiftable along the sides thereof from one corner to another as the yokeis shifted, a pin rotatable by the hand piece and extending through the yoke, said yoke having a slotted extension, a radially extending arm on said pin and having a projection entering the slot in said extension whereby turning movement of the hand piece is communicated to the yoke, a spring connecting the yoke and arm, said switch element including a slotted member, said portion of the yoke operating in the slot in said member whereby initial movement of the hand piece and yoke does not result in movement of the switch element, and said spring adapted on said initial movement of the hand piece to be compressed and to thereafter expand and snap the yoke and switch element from one position to another.

8. In a snap switch, stationary contacts, a switch element movable to and from engagement with said contacts, a closed guide member having a plurality of guides arranged in angular relation with corners between them, a movable member connected to the switch element and having a portion normally seated in one of said corners and slidable from corner to corner along said` other end connected withsaid member, saidspring adapted to be compressed and have its said one end moved laterally by transverse deflection of the spring on said initial turning movement of the hand piece, and said spring adapted on further movement of the hand piece to have its hand piece connected end carried across the center of the hand piece whereby its other end may move to straighten the spring and shift the seated portion of the member out of one corner of the guide to permit the spring to expand and shift said member to another corner of the guide.

9. In a snap switch, stationary contacts, a switch element movable to and from engagement with said contacts, a closed guide member having a plurality of guides arranged in angular relation with corners between them, a yoke connected to the switch element and having a portion normally seated in one of said corners and movable from corner to corner along said guides, said yoke having a slot, a rotatable hand piece, a crank arm operated by said hand piece and having a lug in said slot, a spring extending between the crank arm and the yoke and connectedat its respective ends to each of them, said lug and slot connection between the crank arm and yoke providing means whereby as the hand piece is rotated the yoke is rocked on its seated portion, and said spring adapted on initial movement of the hand piece to be compressed and on further move-v ment of the hand piece shift said seated portion of the yoke out of its corner and then expand to shift the seated portion of the yoke to the next corner.

10. In a rotary snap switch, a hollow body, a pair of contacts in said body, a movable switch element in said body and adapted in one position to engage said contacts and close a circuit between them, a rotary hand piece, a guide member within said body, said guide member having an opening dened by angularly arranged sides providing corners, a yoke on the guide member and having a portion extending into the open ing and movable along the sides thereof from one corner to another, said portion of the yoke connected with the switch element whereby movement of the yoke is imparted to the switch ele ment, a pin rotatable by the hand piece and extending into the vicinity of the yoke, a radially extending arm on said pin, one of said arm and yoke having a slot and the other having a projection entering the slot whereby turning movement of the hand piece is communicated 'through the arm to the yoke, and a spring connecting the yoke and arm and adapted to snap the yoke and switch element from one position to another on turning movement of the hand piece.

CHARLES E. AVERY. 

